The bright stadium lights, the loud sea of fans, and the smell of torn-up grass. Seven senior girls are on the field ready for the fight against the seven junior girls. Many students have been voicing their opinions on the possible return of Powderpuff. Some individuals really wish we still did it, while others feel it should stay in the past. Will the infamous Powderpuff game make a return in 2025?
Powderpuff is a game of flag football, played by senior girls against junior girls. A few of the boys varsity football players coach the girls, while the others cheerlead – coached by the cheerleading team. It is described as a game of skill, speed, ability, and strategy. It is not meant to be a physical, pushing and pounding game. It is of utmost importance that sportsmanship and fair play be exercised at all times by all involved. All players who are members of a team are expected to play. This idea interests a lot of eager girls who would be excited to participate.
Junior Ava Zavala expressed her opinion. “I think it would be fun and everyone would have a good time. I think the seniors vs juniors is a really friendly competition,” Zavala said. There are a lot of friendships between the senior and junior class that would bring out a fun competitive side of the game.
Others feel that it would cause some problems. P.E. teacher, Mark Sahlberg, thinks it stopped for a reason. “I’m not a big fan of Powderpuff…I’ve seen girls get hurt during the game, I’ve seen bullying the week before, and I think we can come up with something besides that competition in general,” Sahlberg said.
No one is positive about why it stopped. It was a tradition at Arcata High since at least 1985 during Spring week in May, then stopped in 2020. This might be because of COVID-19 and people lost interest. Senior Malia Wolven believes it was discontinued due to a deeper reason. “I think they think it’s sexist, but I feel like it’s not. I think what is sexist is that there are no girls on the football team, but this is the opportunity for girls to play football,” Wolven said.
It is a fun way to wrap up the school year, especially for the seniors. It is not decided yet whether this exciting tradition will pick back up again, but until later in the year we won’t know for sure. “I feel sad that we don’t have it and I don’t know why…put me in coach!” Wolven said.